During the current pandemic, we often get out for a bike ride along trails to get physical exercise, usually in the late afternoon. Typically, this is a great time to ride, with low afternoon sun that provides great light. Recently, while riding along the Bear Creek trail, I noticed an American Kestrel hanging out close to a pond at the trail-side.
Yesterday, I re-visited the pond to see what bird life was to be found. As usual there were several male Red-Winged Blackbirds calling out for mates. This pond is located behind a fence at the trail-side. Around the pond are reeds and cat-tails, that is the typical habitat where these birds nest. Several male birds were perching from the cat-tails, but periodically they flew over to perch on the fence.
Here is one male blackbird hanging from a cat-tail stalk.
A few female Red-Winged Blackbirds were hopping through the low reeds encompassing the pond. This was one of the first images that I managed to capture of a female bird.
Most of the birds were accustomed to pedestrians and bikers make use of the trail. This proved to be easy to get close to the birds. One could approach to within 15 feet of the birds before they moved away.
This female blackbird was busy retrieving long grasses from the side of the trail. She had perched on a reed, with a mouthful of grass. It looked like she was busy building a nest, but I never got to see the nest. It was probably hidden deep near the base of the reeds.
The bird flew across the trail and returned back to the reeds.
I love the expression on her face while having a mouthful of grass. This is my favorite image of the day.